Do you ever wish that life had a pause button? I would have gladly used it when our family vacationed up in the Smokey Mountains this summer. Or when our son graduated from high school this past May. Or perhaps I’d simply use the pause button to grant myself a few extra moments on any given day to absorb the quietly spectacular events around me. Like the breathtaking play of sunlight on peach-colored clouds surrounding me during a walk last week. Or the joy of laughing myself to tears along with my thirteen year old daughter, as she pounded her legs ever faster on our family room rug in an effort to beat her best friend on Wii Fit.

Pause-worthy moments. Life is filled with them; God is in the midst of them. Precious, fleeting, agonizingly sweet instances that occur daily and in a breath are gone.

Tomorrow I fly up to Tennessee for the birth of my 4th grandchild. My daughter in law has experienced some serious complications these last few weeks of her pregnancy, and we are 99% certain that she will be induced on December 30th. She has asked me to please come and help, and I’m not only thrilled, I’m honored to be there and assist in whatever way I can.

This decision means that for the first time ever, I will not be with my husband and two other children on New Year’s Eve. Though my heart is torn, I’m compelled to go. I thank God that my family here is blessing me as I depart.

A new year. A new life. I look forward to many pause-worthy moments in the coming week. And when I arrive home, countless more will be awaiting me. Not because my life is perfect, but because the Perfect One is in control.

I wish you, a 2009 filled with an abundance of poignant, God-breathed, pause-worthy moments.

Update:My beautiful daughter in law gave birth Tuesday night (Dec. 30) to a perfect 6 lb., 3 oz. girl named Scarlet Rose. Mother is well, baby is adorable, and Grammy...exhausted, but praising God for His goodness...and for ordering my steps. Thanks for your prayers, bloggy friends!

Julie, congratulations! Best wishes for you and all of your family in this new year's. I'm sorry you can't be with your husband, and other children for new year's eve, but you know, it's just another night...